Chapter 7: Return to the Village

As soon as Song Xiaoxiao, the elderly woman, and Song Pandi reached the village entrance, they were met by Song Jinjīn, the eldest grandson of Er Ye, along with several little ones from the Song family who were waiting for them.

Seeing familiar faces, Song Jinjīn strode forward eagerly, “Third Grandma, you should go back quickly! My grandpa and my dad are waiting for you at your house.”

The elderly woman beamed, ruffling Song Jinjīn’s hair while pretending to be unaware, “Why has your grandpa come to my house today? If there’s something, you could just call out, and I would come over.”

At over seven years old, country kids understood a lot. Jinjīn proceeded to tell her all the happenings in her family.

In conclusion, he said, “Second Uncle from Elder Uncle’s family came to call Grandpa, so Grandpa went over.”

Song Xiaoxiao watched in astonishment as the elderly woman became flustered, “Is what you said really true, Jinjīn?”

“It is true! If you don’t believe me, ask Song Chengjiao!” Song Jinjīn suddenly pointed toward Song Chengjiao, who was nearby, and then leaned closer to Song Liangzuo, curiously asking, “You really don’t have… that thing? Where did you catch those two fish from?”

Jinjīn’s eyes fell on the two fish still flapping in Song Liangzuo’s arms, his face filled with envy. Their family hadn’t had fish in a long time, and the last fish soup was particularly delicious.

“Song Chengjiao, you brat! What nonsense are you saying? Who told you my good grandson doesn’t have that thing? You must be itching for a beating!” The elderly woman threatened, moving towards Song Chengjiao.

Song Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at Jinjīn from Liangzuo’s perspective, feeling superior to him for asking such a question.

Finally, her gaze landed on Song Chengjiao, and in a mock angry tone, she shouted, “Song Chengjiao, you scared me with worms yesterday, and I didn’t hold it against you, yet you’re slandering me now!”

Feigning anger, Song Xiaoxiao coughed lightly.

In the mind of a child, she knew that at this moment, she should chase after him for a good “fight,” but she understood very well that she could not pursue Song Chengjiao.

Otherwise, in the heat of chasing, the risk of catastrophe loomed large!

Seeing the old woman chasing after him, Song Chengjiao was frightened and ran away, still shouting, “You don’t have that thing!”

“You’re just jealous mine is bigger than yours! Ha! Yours looks like a bean sprout! Just come to slander me! You’re so wicked!” At that moment, Song Xiaoxiao felt just like Lin Daiyu, weakly pointing her finger at Chengjiao, who was already caught by the old woman.

“You little rascal, not learning properly, just like your greedy grandmother, always staring at our family. Did your grandma send you here to speak nonsense? Let’s see if I won’t tear your mouth apart!”

The elder woman, who would scold her own granddaughter sternly, cared even less for this boy who was bothering her grandson. Her hands, used to farming work, were like a hawk’s claws as she caught him, twisting his mouth a bit.

“Ow! Let me go! I’m telling the truth! I’m not lying!” he cried out.

“I see you’re only good for lies! Go home and have your grandmother feed you, and don’t swan around in front of me. If you dare speak ill of my grandson again, I won’t hesitate to tear your mouth apart!” The old woman said threateningly before finally releasing Chengjiao’s wrist.

Once freed, Song Chengjiao turned and bolted toward Song Liangzuo’s house, shouting, “Mom! Song Liangzuo’s grandma hit me!”

Song Liangzuo did his best to walk normally, though he was undoubtedly nervous, feeling akin to someone who knows they’ll be tested but still chooses to sneak in answers.

Before long, “home” appeared in the distance. Song Xiaoxiao automatically ignored the numerous people in the courtyard and surveyed the house instead.

The small yard was not very big, with the main building consisting of three adobe houses. Even without entering, she knew that the central room was the living room, the east was where the original owner’s grandmother and the original owner lived, while the room to the west was where the original owner’s mother and sister resided.

On the west side of the courtyard were two lower adobe houses, one for storing grain and miscellaneous items, while the other served as the kitchen.

The house was surrounded by a half meter-high adobe wall.

As the setting sun dipped low, its remaining golden rays spilled over the courtyard, bathing it in a warm light that felt comforting.

Song Xiaoxiao entered the yard with the fish cradled in her arms, feeling the strong grip of the elderly woman’s hand on her shoulder, squeezing it painfully.

She knew that the old lady was nervous.

Then, the elderly woman’s powerful voice rang through their courtyard, “Hmph! What are you all doing? Seeing that our family has no strong men, you all want to bully our widowed family. Song Laosan, you heartless man, why didn’t you take me with you when you left? You let me stay here to be bullied! Open your eyes and see! Look at how your wife, your daughter-in-law, and your precious grandson are being bullied! They refuse to let us live!”

Her cries echoed like thunder in Song Xiaoxiao’s ears, almost knocking her senses away.

Then she watched as the elderly woman, burdened with a bamboo basket filled with pig grass, sat down on the ground, her tears pouring down her sleeves like an opened dam.

She vented both good and bad words in a torrent, unaware that some of her expressions could be so coarse.

Goodness! Once the old woman cried, Song Zhaodi and Song Pandi also began to wail, looking as though they were either scared or caught up in their grandmother’s emotional outburst.

Looking up, Song Xiaoxiao noticed that her mother also had red-rimmed eyes and was approaching her, enveloping her in a hug and crying.

Ah! This made her feel like a fool yet again.

When she returned, she had only told the old woman to delay as much as possible until it got dark.

“You can relax; I’m here,” the elderly woman had assured with a firm pat on her chest.

But Song Xiaoxiao had not anticipated this dramatic entrance where everyone would burst into tears.

At this moment, she seized the opportunity to scan the sea of people in the yard. Song Daqian’s family, along with Song Wangjiang, He, and Shui, the three brothers and their wives, were all present, as well as various children peeking in.

From the other courtyard, only Song Erquan and his eldest son, Song Wangshu, had brought their families over.

Neither family was fully represented.

There were also neighbors and children watching the commotion.

“Uncle! You must stand up for our family! We are just a poor, troubled family who troubles no one, yet we’ve been bullied in our own home! They schemed against our family’s chickens last year and now slander my good grandson; it’s as if they want us all dead, taking our house and land for themselves! Will we even be allowed to live? Why not just force us to die? We don’t want to live anymore!” The elderly woman cried out to Song Erquan, seeking justice and sympathy!